A Deal with Benefits

by Susanna Carr

  Not that it mattered. He didn’t seem to notice her haircut or her smooth skin. The lingerie she wore was for his pleasure as much as it was for hers, but he managed to get it off her before he gave it an appreciative look.

  “And your needs are catered to especially in bed,” he murmured.

  Ashley blushed. She wasn’t quiet about what she wanted in bed. The nights they shared had been mind-blowing. She had never expected that it would become more magical. She clung to Sebastian all night, eager and greedy for his touch.

  “I have no complaints,” she replied stiffly. She wondered how amazing it would be if Sebastian had any emotion behind every caress and kiss. Her knees weakened at the thought.

  “Nor do I,” he whispered as he leaned forward. “You are a very generous lover.”

  Her face felt incredibly hot from his compliment and the noise from the cocktail party seemed louder. She never refused Sebastian and it had nothing to do with her role as his mistress. She was always ready for him at the most inconvenient times. Even now her breasts felt heavy, her nipples tight, as her skin tingled for his caress.

  But she didn’t have that power over him. Sebastian wanted her but only on his terms. His timetable.

  “If you will excuse me,” she said as she forced herself to step away. They were not equals and they never would be. “I’m not being a good hostess. I should circulate with your guests.”

  Impatience gleamed in his eyes. “Running away again, mi vida?”

  She didn’t answer and she walked away. Ashley felt his gaze on her. She knew she couldn’t hide from Sebastian Cruz. He saw everything.

  * * *

  Sebastian fought the impulse to grab Ashley and pull her closer. To find a dark corner and reacquaint himself with her scent and taste. Instead, he restrained himself as he watched the haughty tilt of her head as she glided through the crowd.

  Ashley may think she was an island girl but she was meant for the glittery world of high society. She had nothing in common with the guests, but she worked the room with effortless grace. The businessmen were dazzled by her friendly smile and their wives gravitated to her sunny personality.

  “Who’s the girl?”

  Sebastian’s hand tightened on his champagne glass when he heard the gravelly voice. He turned to see Oscar Salazar, one of his fiercest rivals.

  “Salazar.” He gave the man a brief handshake. “I didn’t see you come in.”

  “Your attention was elsewhere. I can see why.” A streak of red highlighted Salazar’s blunt cheekbones as he stared at Ashley. “You always had good taste in property.”

  “Don’t let her hear you say that,” Sebastian warned. Not that he was going to allow Salazar that close to Ashley. He was territorial, but he knew better than to show it around Salazar. The man liked to compete. The more Sebastian wanted something, the more determined Salazar was in wrestling it free from him.

  The possessive feeling was so strong that Sebastian almost vibrated with it. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt this way. The women in his bed had always been interchangeable and temporary. If any of them tried to make him jealous, Sebastian didn’t hesitate to cut them loose. He never second-guessed or regretted his actions. He knew he could replace his lover with someone who was willing to follow his rules.

  But it was different with Ashley. The woman didn’t understand the word obey. She was exasperating, difficult and never boring. Why did he allow her to act that way? Was it because she was his mistress? Was it because he was her first? Or did it have anything to do with sex?

  He wanted to share his day with Ashley. It didn’t matter if they were exploring the waterfalls of Jamaica, falling asleep in each other’s arms or enjoying a cup of coffee in a busy sidewalk café. He yearned for her. So much that he found himself calling her when he was at the office just to hear her voice.

  “Who did you say she was?” Salazar asked as his gaze narrowed on Ashley’s slender body.

  Sebastian gritted his teeth. He had to play this carefully. “Her name is Ashley.”

  “She looks familiar.”

  He doubted Salazar socialized with Donald Jones. He was too young and had only made his fortune a few years ago. “You probably saw her in Miami,” Sebastian said. He tossed back the champagne but didn’t taste it.

  Salazar dragged his gaze away from Ashley. “She’s different from your other women.”

  And that automatically made her an intriguing challenge. The ultimate prize. The man understood what made Sebastian tick. “I don’t have a type.”

  Salazar smiled. “This one looks more innocent. Untamed.”

  Sebastian curled his hand into a fist. “You don’t know anything about her.” And you’re not going to.

  “But I know you,” Salazar said. “You’ll tire of her very soon.”

  No, he wouldn’t. He wanted more than a month with Ashley. Craved for something more. “And you’ll swoop in and catch her?”

  Salazar shrugged. “I wouldn’t normally take your hand-me-downs...”

  Sebastian wanted to punch his rival. No one talked about Ashley that way. No one. Instead, Sebastian stepped in front of Salazar and stared him down. “Stay away from Ashley,” he said in growl.

  Salazar looked very pleased that he’d riled him. “Worried that you don’t have that much of a hold on her?” he taunted.

  He was worried about that. The only way he got Ashley back in his bed was through blackmail. He wasn’t proud of it. She wanted him but not enough to make the first move or accept his original offer.

  “She’s mine,” Sebastian warned in a low voice. Most people would scatter from the threat in his tone, but Oscar Salazar’s smile only widened.

  “Not for long.” Salazar returned his gaze on Ashley. “I could steal her away if I wanted to.”

  “No, you couldn’t.” Sebastian’s heart pounded against his ribs as the need to defend his territory coursed through his veins. “You have nothing she wants. No extra incentive.”

  “Incentive?” Salazar’s eyes glowed as he pondered the new information. “She has a price?”

  “One you couldn’t afford,” Sebastian snapped.

  “I’m sure I could get a bargain,” he murmured.

  “You’ve been warned, Salazar.” He didn’t like this side of him, but he couldn’t stop it. He was ready to unleash all of his power and weapons on Salazar. If he had fangs, he would have bared them. “Go anywhere near her and you’re dead.”

  “Understood.” Salazar took a sip of his champagne and casually strolled away. Sebastian wanted to follow, but one of his Jamaican business partners chose that moment to approach.

  Sebastian ruthlessly pushed aside any thought of Salazar. His blood roared in his ears and his hands shook with the need to land his fist into Salazar’s jaw. He had nothing to worry about. He didn’t trust the man, but he knew Ashley wouldn’t be interested in Salazar’s questionable charms.

  Yet he kept an eye on Ashley during the cocktail party. Sebastian was always aware of where she stood. Even when he was in a deep conversation with his executive assistant, Sebastian heard Ashley’s earthy laugh from across the room.

  He wasn’t sure what made him look up a few minutes later and actively seek her out in the party. His mother would have called it a premonition. Sebastian knew it had more to do with the fact that he was attuned to her.

  He found her next to the door on the rooftop. The ocean breeze tugged at her white dress and her long brown hair. His voice trailed off as he noticed that Ashley stood ramrod straight. Her tension was palpable. Her polite smile was slipping and he saw the caution in her eyes.

  It took him a moment to realize Oscar Salazar had his back to the party and was talking to her. A red haze filled Sebastian’s vision as the anger flared inside him. He strode through the crowd, determine
d to keep Salazar away. He didn’t notice the guests as he bumped shoulders and cut through small groups. A few guests saw the murderous rage in his expression and immediately got out of the line of fire.

  He didn’t know what Salazar was saying to Ashley, but it didn’t matter. Ashley was his. Body and soul.

  He saw Ashley’s face whiten. The color leached from her sun-kissed skin as if she was going to be sick. She turned her head and Sebastian knew she was searching for him. Their gazes clashed. Her brown eyes shimmered with hurt. Pain. Betrayal.

  Ashley flinched and jerked her attention back at Salazar. Ashley’s mouth parted in shock a moment before she slung her champagne in Salazar’s face. She dropped the flute on the ground and marched away before Salazar could react.

  Sebastian wanted to chase after his woman. Comfort and protect her. But first he had to take care of Salazar. He turned and glared at Salazar’s proud face. That man needed to learn that if he slighted Ashley, the wrath of hell was upon him.

  * * *

  Ashley brushed away the last tear as she gathered up her T-shirt and jeans and dumped them in the smallest suitcase she could find. Her hands shook as she zipped up the case. How could Sebastian do this to her?

  Why was she so surprised? She meant nothing to him. She was just the mistress. A very temporary one. Hadn’t she seen enough on how men treated their mistresses? Why did she think Sebastian would have been any different?

  Ashley jumped when she heard the door of their bedroom swing open and bang against the wall. She refused to look at Sebastian. She knew he filled the doorway with his hands clutching the frame. He was barring her exit and she felt his anger pouring through him.

  “What happened between you and Salazar?” he asked with lethal softness.

  “Bastard,” she muttered as she lifted the suitcase off the bed.

  “He’s been called much worse, but what did he say to you?” Sebastian asked impatiently. “I couldn’t get a word out of him.”

  “No, you are the bastard,” Ashley said as she thrust a finger at him. He looked like a dark angel. He had discarded his jacket and tie, but that didn’t diminish his raw masculinity. There was something angry and volatile about him. Dangerous and powerful. “I trusted you. I thought we had an agreement.”

  “We do,” he said as he stepped into the room. “You are my mistress for a month.”

  “Which you told Oscar Salazar.” Her voice shook as she remembered the way that man had looked at her. As if he wanted to sample the goods before he made a bid.

  “I didn’t say you were my mistress.” Sebastian’s voice was as stinging as the flick of a whip. “I warned him off.”

  Then how did Oscar know? She didn’t act like a mistress. She didn’t dress like one, either. The only way he would have known was if Sebastian said something. “You broke your promise and you broke our agreement. I’m leaving.”

  “Like hell you are.” Sebastian rushed forward. He grabbed the case and tossed it on the floor. “You’re not going anywhere until I say so.”

  She’d never seen Sebastian like this. His movements were rough and clumsy. His sophisticated veneer was slipping. It was as if he was upset that she was leaving. But that was ridiculous. Sebastian Cruz didn’t care enough to panic.

  Ashley thrust out her chin and met his gaze. “You can’t tell me what to do. I’m not your mistress anymore.”

  A muscle bunched in his jaw. “Then you will never see Inez Key again.”

  “Fine,” she retorted. She pressed her lips together as the horror snaked through her. She wanted to take those words back.

  His eyes widened with surprise. He was silent for a moment, his breathing hard, as a strange urgency pulsed around them. “Fine? You are ready to walk away from the home you fought to hold on to?” he asked as he stepped closer. “The home you took care of and made sacrifices for? The one where you lowered yourself and slept with me so you could stay on the island?”

  “This isn’t about Inez Key. It’s about you,” she replied. “You don’t care about what is important to me and you certainly don’t care about my feelings.”

  He rocked back on his feet as he looked at her with such intensity that she felt she was going to burst. “How are you going to get back?” he asked. “You have no money.”

  Ashley closed her eyes as the pain ricocheted inside her. He didn’t deny her accusation. He didn’t care about her feelings. “I don’t know,” she whispered. “I’ll hock this dress. I’ll swim all the way home. Maybe I’ll trade my body for favors. That’s what everyone thinks I do anyway.”

  He snatched her wrist. She felt the tremor in his hand. “Don’t even joke about it.”

  “Why not, Sebastian?” She tried to yank her arm away from him but he tightened his hold. “You made me a joke. You made me a mistress.”

  “And you accepted,” he said. “You had other choices. You could have walked away but you didn’t.”

  “You dangled my home as bait,” she cried out.

  “Like you said, Inez Key had nothing to do with it,” he reminded her coldly. “You wanted to be with me but you were afraid to go after it. And now you’re upset because you like being a mistress.”

  Her gasp echoed in the room as she went still. “No, I don’t,” she said in a scandalized whisper. “Take that back.”

  “I stand corrected.” Sebastian let go of her wrist. “You like being my mistress.”

  She wanted to slap him. Push him away. But it was true. She liked sharing his bed and enjoyed seeing the desire in his eyes when she walked into the room. She treasured their private moments and was proud to be at his side in public. She ached for his touch and she was greedy for his undivided attention. She would accept whatever role he chose for her if it meant she could share a part of his life.

  And he knew it. He knew that she would take the measly crumbs that he offered. He knew he had that much power over her. “Get out of my way.”

  He crossed his arms and braced his feet. Any concern he felt a moment ago had disappeared. Sebastian was calm and in charge again. “Make me.”

  And now he was going to prove how she had no power over him. Ashley curled her hands into fists and dug her nails into her palms as she tried to hold back the rioting emotions. “I’m warning you, Sebastian. I’m about to lose control.”

  Sebastian wasn’t worried. “I can handle it. Give me your best shot.”

  “Oh, my God.” She thrust her hands in her wavy hair. “You want me out of control? Are you insane?”

  “I want you to stop hiding. Stop running away.”

  That was all she wanted to do. Run. Hide. Regain control of her temper before she broke into a million pieces. “You have no say in what I do.”

  “I’m sorry about Salazar,” he said grimly. “I warned him off but I revealed more than I should.”

  “Did you tell him I had a price?” she asked wildly. “That he could talk me down from my asking price because I was damaged goods? That I should accept his offer because you would kick me out of your bed soon?”

  “I’m going to kill him,” Sebastian said through clenched teeth.

  “You’ll have to get in line,” she declared as she strode to the door. “I knew I shouldn’t have trusted you, Sebastian. I respected your wishes but you didn’t respect mine.”

  Sebastian was at the threshold before she could get there and slammed the door shut. “You are not leaving.”

  She reached for the doorknob. “I see no reason to stay.”

  “What about this?” he asked as his hands covered her shoulders.

  It was the only warning she had before Sebastian turned her around and covered his mouth with hers. His kiss crushed her lips. Ashley pressed her hands against his chest, determined to push him away. He ignored her attempts as he settled her against the door.

&
nbsp; Excitement burned through her. She shouldn’t want this. Shouldn’t encourage it. Yet she did want it, had waited for this moment. Ashley wanted to feel his hands shake with barely restrained emotion. She wanted the last of his control to snap and show exactly what was going through his mind.

  Sebastian shoved her lace panties down her hips before he lifted her up. She wrapped her legs around his waist when he yanked her dress up her thighs. As he deepened the kiss, Ashley tore at his shirt, wanting to strip it from his body.

  Sebastian groaned against her swollen lips. “Tell me you don’t want this.”

  She wished she could. She wished she didn’t come alive under his touch or that she was always waiting, yearning, for his kiss. Ashley bucked her hips, silently demanding more.

  Sebastian whispered something in Spanish as he shucked his trousers off. She couldn’t tell if it was a prayer or a curse. She clung to his shoulders, yielding to his fierce kisses, unable to deny him anything. Desire and anger coiled deep in her belly, hot and tight. It was a potent combination. A dangerous mix.

  Ashley tensed when she felt the crown of his penis pressing against her. She hated herself for wanting this. Hated that she made it so easy for him. She tilted her hips as he drove into her welcoming heat.

  She turned her head and moaned as he filled her. Ashley held on to Sebastian tightly as he thrust deep. His rhythm was ferocious and wild. She couldn’t get enough. The sounds of their uneven breaths and the creaking door were harsh to her ears. The scent of hot, aroused male electrified the air. She clutched to his fine cotton shirt as she rocked her hips against him.

  “Walk away and you’ll never feel like this again,” he declared gruffly as he burrowed his head against the base of her throat. His teeth nipped her skin as if he was leaving his brand.

  Ashley knew he was right. Only Sebastian had this power over her. The sexual hunger clawed inside her. It was unbearable, pressing against her, demanding to break free.

  “You will always be mine.”

  Ashley’s sobs caught in her throat as the violent climax ripped through her. She sagged against him as he continued to thrust. She couldn’t fight the truth anymore. When he discarded her and moved on to another woman, she would still long for his touch.